Apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator



Nov. 24, 1936. H. MCC R ACK 2,062,100

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LINER DISKS OF A CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID SEPARATOR Filed April 22, 1955 2 sneet-sheet 1 Nov. 24, 1936. .4. MCCORNACK 2,0 ,100

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING LINER DISKS OF A, CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID SEPARATOR Filed April 22, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Herbert McCornack, Howey In The Hills, Fla.

Application April 22, 1933, Serial No. 667,485

7 Claims.

The objects of my invention are to provide a labor saving and efficient means for cleaning, sterilizing and drying the liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator.

The invention consists of a manually held and operated apparatus for holding the disks assembled in suspension and means for rotating the disks at high velocity while the washing fluid is caused to enter at their axial opening and to be forcefully thrown outward between the disks by the centrifugal action of the rotating disks. The flow of the washing fluid into the central opening of the rotating disks may be effected either by jetting it in as from a spigot or it may be caused by submerging the rotating disks into the fluid while they are being cleaned or sterilized.

The sterilization of the disks is effected by causing boiling hot water to flow through the rotating disks while they are being rotated. The drying of the disks is effected by rotating them at high velocity while suspended in the free air and causing the air, as it is forced outward between the hot disks to absorb the moisture and thus thoroughly dry the disks.

One important feature of this apparatus is the provision of means for engaging the disks and causing them to rotate with the apparatus. I preferably use for this purpose the centrifugal expansion of the members which carry the disks. Other means, however, may be used within the scope of this invention.

Another feature of this invention is its simple and economic construction which lends itself to low cost manufacture and which is hardy in service.

Figure l is a vertical view of this apparatus in engagement with the disks, the. disks being in part broken away.

Figure 2 is a view in section on line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a View in section on line 3--3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show my centrifugal apparatus held and operated by hand.

The device consists of member I, upon which the disks 3 are assembled in suspension and rotated at high velocity. This member I is provided with branches 5 capable of expanding outward under centrifugal action, to engage the disks 3 and cause them to rotate. At the lower end of member I is a floating ring 6 upon which the disks rest and which safeguards branches 5 against distortion. The ring 6 has openings 'I-'I through which branches 5 extend with freedom to move radially and which is secured to branches 5 by means of fixed washers 8-8. Member I has a coupling 2 which connects it rigidly with shaft 9 and I2 is the motive means. Branches 5 are also connected rigidly with coupling 2. I0 is a container for cleaning liquid and I I is a free jet of water from a spigot. This coupling is designed to hold member I, which carries the disks, in rigid alignment with the motive spindle.

In operating the apparatus holding member I is detached from motive member 9 at coupling 2 and the disks to be cleaned are assembled in inverted position upon member I so that they rest upon floating ring 6. The shaft 9 is then attached to member I through coupling 2. Member I is thus caused to rotate and, by means of flexible branches 5 which enter the openings in the disks and which, under centrifugal action, expand and engage the disks, rotary engagement therewith is accomplished.

This apparatus is designed to be submerged in the cleaning liquid, as shown in Fig. 5, or to be held under a free jet of water from a spigot as in Fig. 4. When the device is operated while submerged in the cleaning liquid, the liquid is drawn into the unobstructed axial opening in the disks and thrown forcefully outward by centrifugal action while a vortex of the cleaning liquid is set up by the rotating disks which returns the liquid to the axial opening in the disks.

It will be seen from the construction of my apparatus that, under centrifugal action, the water will be repeatedly returned thru the axial opening of the disks and used again and again.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, centrifugally expanding, spaced holding members, adapted to enter openings in said disks, a rigid driving shaft and motive means for rotating said members through said driving shaft.

2. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, centrifugally expanding, spaced holding members for engaging the inner edges of the disks, motive means for actuating said members and a rigid driving shaft rigidly connected to said motive means and to said spaced members whereby said apparatus can be held in vertical position or any desired angle from the vertical while in operation.

3. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid ,separato-r, centrifugally expanding members for holding said disks, a rigid driving shaft, motive means for rotating said holding members through said shaft, and means for submerging said disks in cleaning fluid whereby the fluid, under centrifugal action, is drawn in at the axial openings of said disks and thrown forcefully outward between said disks.

4. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, a holding member for the disks consisting of flexible branches adapted to engage the openings in said disks under centrifugal action and engaging means at their lower ends which provide for radial movement of said branches, a rigid driving shaft and motive means for rotating said branches through said driving shaft.

5. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, a disk holding member, a coupling, motive means for rotating said holding member through said coupling, said holding member comprising centrifugally expanding spaced branches to engage said disks which provide for the unobstructed inflow of the washing liquid to said discs axially at both ends of the central opening of said disks.

6. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, a holding member for the disks, a rigid driving shaft, motive means for rotating said holding member through said shaft, said holding member carried by said driving shaft and comprising centrifugally expanding branches and disk supporting means at the end of said branches.

7. In a centrifugal apparatus for cleaning liner disks of a centrifugal liquid separator, a disk holding member, said disk holding member comprising centrifugally expanding spaced branches to engage said disks which provide for an unobstructed axial return of the washing liquid thru the disks, a driving shaft and motive means; for rotating said branches through said shaft.

HERBERT MCCORNACK. 1 

